Tennis racket



-`lune 2, 1931. .1. 1 M. GUENARD TENNIS RACKET Filed NOV. 7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 2; 1931. J. L.. M. GUENARD 1,808,035

TENNIS RACKET Filed Nov. 7, 1929 2 ShetSf-Sheet 2 INVENTOR wxTNEssEs JL jgvalvo guenani maag.

, @1Q/)QW y ATTORNEYS Patented June 2, 1931 ArtNr creci: f

JOS LEANDRO MONTALVO GUENABD, OF PONCE, PORTO RICO v TENNIS Application led November rIhis invention relates to tennis rackets.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a novel and improved tennis racket in which separable members are provided for securing within the racket frame the usual racket mesh.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a tennis racket the frame of which includes a hinged portion adapted to removably secure a racket mesh in the frame.

A further obj ect of the present invention 1s to provide a tennis racket including a handle and integrally formed mesh frame together with a hinged member secured to said frame for engagement with said frame to se cure the mesh therebetween.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in a tennis racket having a hinged mesh-securing member, a novel securing means for securing the frame and hinged member in mesh-engaging position.

VOther objects of the present invention include the combination and interrelation of partswhereby a novel, simple and improved tennis racket is provided which is economical in manufacture and in which the mesh may be readily changed.

Further objects of the present. invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a frontelevation of one for of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the i' 35 lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the lines 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4; is a plan view of the racket opened; Fig. 5 is a detail view of the retaining ring; Fig. 6 illustrates a preferredform of clamp adapted for use in connection with the present invention. Referring more particularly to the drawings, the racket of the present invention Vincludes a handle portion 10, of conventional configuration, from which extends a frame section 11, which is preferably formed integral therewith and which is grooved on its inner faceA as at 12j In considering the present invention it willbe understood that RACKET 7, 1929. Serial No. 405,441.

the invention is not confined to any specific type of handle nor to the speci-lic handle and frame section herein illustrated, as the frame section 11 may be formed separately from the handle 10 and secured thereto vin any desired manner.

Associated with the handle portionV 10, there is provided a complementary frame section 13, provided with an annular projection or ridge l-i which is adapted for co-operation with the groove 12 as will be hereinafter explained. The section 13 is hingedly secured to the handle 10 by the provision of a hinge member 15, which preferably extends down--l wardly from the pivotal point to provide an extending reinforcing plate 16, asshown in the drawings. rlhe opposite side of the handle 10 is also provided with a reinforcing plate 17, which in conjunction with the plate 1li, provides for reinforcement of the racket N at the juncture of the handle and frame.

rl`he vracket further includes the conventional mesh 18, the edges of which are preferably secured between rubber tissue sheets 19 or equivalent resilient members which are adapted to firmly secure the peripheral edges of the mesh. Y

For securingthe mesh in the frame of the racket, the section 13 is brought to the fullline position shown in `F ig. 2, by which the ridge 1e co-operates with the groove 12 in securely locking the mesh instretched position as indicated in Fig. 2. For securing the sections 11 and 13 in mesh-engagingposition asV shown in said iigure,'a peripherally eXtends ing securing ring 2O is provided which is substantially U-shape in cross section and includes a central wall which engages the periphery of both the sections 11 and 13, ton gether with the depending side walls which engage the beveled outeredges of the sections 11 and 13, the arrangement being such that when the ring 20 is in position, the sections V11 and 13 are'loclicd securely in position where- (n by the ridge 141 and groo-ve 12 co-operate to secure the mesh 18 in position.' For securing Athe ring 20 in the engaging position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a securing assembly illustrated in Fig. 3, is provided, which assembly in-I cludes an internally threadedl shaft 21 explates 16 and 17, is preferably formed of alu-k minum or similar light, durable material, the arrangement being such that the normal balance is maintained and no departure from the average weight of standard rackets will he experienced.

In connection with the present invention, it will readily be seen that should the mesh of the racket be ruptured, a loosening of the bolt 23 will permit the ring 20 to be removed and the securing element 13 may be moved to the dotted line position as shown in Fig. 2, which permits the mesh 18 to be removed and a suitable pre-formed mesh may be inserted in lieuithereof. After such insertion, the element 13 is moved to its normal position and secured to engage the new mesh by the securing ring 20. It will be seen that the handle 10 is reinforced at its weakest point by the provision of the plates 16 and 17.

In connection with the present invention it will readily be seen that the device is adapted for use with various types and modifications of woven mesh or with a pre-formed perforated mesh-resembling sheet. In the provision of an inexpensive or toy racket, it will be understood that the mesh may be formed of cane or other material less'expensive than the usual mesh provided for professional raclrets. vIn the use of mesh for the racket, it will be seen that the present invention provides for the use of a pre-formed mesh which may be secured already woven ready for cutting and insertion in the racket.

Referring particularly to Fig. 6 of the drawings, it will be seen that a clamp is provided for insuring a proper assembly of the mesh with the racket. The clamp includes a base plate 30, the edge of which is grooved as at 31 and co-operates with an upper plate 32 having a grooved edge 33. rlhe upper plate is movable by a suitable screw Set, so that when the mesh is laid upon the frame, the frame may be positioned between the plates 30 and 32, and operation of the screw will force the movable frame into proper position for associating the ridge 14 with the groove 12, whereby the retaining ring 2O may be positioned for securing the parts in proper operative connection. Y

From the foregoing it Vwill be seen that the invention provides a novel and improved racket, in which the mesh may be readily replaced withoutloss of .time and without rcquiring a skilled racket stringer.

It will be understood that the invention is not confined to the specific structural details herein illustrated, but that numerous changes, modifications and the full use of equivalents may be resorted to without departing from 'the spirit or scope of the invention as outlined in the appended claims.

IVhat is claimed is: Y

1. Atennis racket, including a handle and an associated frame section, together with a pivoted mesh-securing member adapted for co-operation with said frameto engage a mesh therebetween.

2. A tennis racket, including a handle and an `associated frame section, together with a pivoted mesh-securing member adapted for co-operation With said frame to engage a mesh therebetween, said frame including an annularly extending groove adapted to receive said mesh and secure it in taut position.

3. A tennis racket, including a handle and an associated frame section, together with a pivoted mesh-securing member adapted for co-operation with said frame to engage a mesh therebetween, said frame including an annulariy extending groove adapted to receive said mesh and secure it in taut position, said securing member including a ridge adapted to co-operate with said groove in staining said mesh.

Y 4. A tennis racket, including a handle and an associated frame section, together with a pivoted mesh-securing member adapted for cao-operation `*with said frame to engage a mesh therebetween, said frame including an annularly extending groove adapted to ree ceive said mesh and secure it in taut position, said securing member including a ridge adapted to co-operate with said groove in retaining said mesh, anda retaining ring receivable over the periphery of said frame for looking said frame and securing member in mesh-engaging position.

5. In a tennis racket, a handle, a frame on said handle, and a securing element hingedly connected with said Vhandle for (3o-operation with said frame.

6. In a tennis racket, a handle, a frame o said handle, a securing element hingedly connected with said handle for co-operation with said frame, and mesh secured to said frameby said securing element.

7. In a tennis racket, a handle, a frame on said handle, a securing element hingedly connected with said handle for co-operation with said frame, and mesh secured to said frame by said securing element, said element conforming in configuration to the contiguration of said frame. a

8. In a tennis racket, a handle, a frame on said handle, a securing element hingedly connected with said handle for co-operation with said frame, and mesh secured to said frame by said securing element, said element conforming in configuration to the configurration of said frameand including a'ridge adapted for co-operation with a groove in said frame for securing said mesh therebetween.

9. In a tennis racket, a handle, a frame on said handle, a securing element hingedly connected with said handle for co-operation With said frame, mesh secured to said frame by said securing element, said element conforming in configuration to the conguration of said frame and including a ridge adapted for (3o-operation with a groove in said frame for securing said mesh therebetween, and resilient sheets carried on each side of said mesh for assisting said frame and element to secure said mesh.

10. In a tennis racket, a handle, a frame on said handle, a securing element hingedly connected With said handle for co-operation with said frame, mesh secured to said frame by said securing element, said element conforming in c-onguration to the configuration of said Jframe and including `a ridge adapted for co-operation With a groove in said frame for securing said mesh therebetween, resilient sheets carried by each side of said mesh for assisting said frame and element to secure said mesh, and a retaining ring receivable over the peripheries of said frame and element for securing them in mesh-engaging position.

11. In a tennis racket, a handle, a Jframe on said handle, a securing element hingedly connected With said handle for co-operation With said frame, mesh secured to said frame by said securing element, said element conforming in configuration to the configuration of said frame and including a ridge adapted for co-operation with a groove in said frame for securing said mesh therebeo tween, resilient sheets carried on each side of said mesh for assisting said frame and element to secure said mesh, a retaining ring receivable over the peripheries of said frame and element for securing them in mesh-engaging position, and threaded means for securing said retaining ring.

JOS LEANDRO MONTALVO GUENARD. 

